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By Angela Brown

Boost to production

MGBHLM cattle company growing; greenhouse set to expand

Feb 11, 2022 | 2:36 PM

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation’s Economic Development Corporation is continuing to progress with its cattle business.

With eight bulls and 160 cows, the company is expected to have about another 150 new calves for the season beginning this March.

Economic Development CEO Grant Beaudry said Three Nations Cattle Company plans to sell most of the calves this year but will still hold onto about 30 to keep growing the herd.

The cattle were originally obtained through a Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation Inc. (SIEF) loan. The Mosquito cattle operation previously sold its last production of calves at market to pay off part of that loan to SIEF.

Beaudry said long-term plans are to raise the cattle for future production, and “food sustainability.”

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“The whole reason we bought cattle is because the previous year Chief Tanya [Tanya Aguilar-Antiman] bought a whole bunch of meat from a rancher so we could distribute it to our membership,” he said.

Having its own cattle operation will mean MGBHLM will have an on-site food source to benefit its community.

There is also an education component to the project.

“It would be to assist our younger membership who want to get into cattle operations, the young entrepreneurs,” Beaudry said.

The new business first started last year is owned and operated by MGBHLM Economic Development Corp. in partnership with MGBHLM First Nation.

The cow/calf operation is located on the North side of the reserve on what is known as Eaton’s pasture.

The cattle business is managed by Charles Stone, who has been in the industry for many years.

“It’s been a good project,” Stone said. “It’s a win-win situation for the band utilizing their lands. They are only going to get bigger and better.”

Greenhouse growth

The First Nation’s Economic Development Corporation is also busy working on expanding the greenhouse Mosquito acquired in the land purchase from the Oblates in 2020 at their property now known as the Ridge, at the former Government House site, south of Battleford.

Beaudry said they hope to receive some help from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) to develop the project to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

“The U of S Agriculture Department were here last spring. But because of COVID-19 they couldn’t commit, because their staff couldn’t come out,” he said.

He added that U of S assessed the project last year and “liked what they saw.”

Beaudry said he wants to see the greenhouse fully up and running to provide fresh produce to MGBHLM throughout the year.

“We’d like to use it for our Elder members,” he said. “As they grow older it’s hard for the Elders to come into town.”

Beaudry said through the greenhouse operation, Mosquito could provide a program to deliver fresh vegetables to the older members to help them access nutritious foods easier.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow